A brand-new period drama based on a horrifying true story that affected thousands of children is coming to Netflix this week.

The show is a must-watch for those who were gripped by HBO's Chernobyl and Netflix's Toxic Town, which came out last year.  

The Lead Children is set in the 1970s and follows the extraordinary story of young doctor Jolanta Wadowska-Król (played by Joanna Kulig), who goes up against the government to expose the lead poisoning of young children in her local community. 

The streaming platform previously dropped a trailer for the six-part series, showing children in the region of Silesia, Poland, falling sick from “mysterious illnesses” before Wadowska-Król uncovers mass lead poisoning caused by the nearby smelter. 

When she tries to reveal the truth about the innocent lives affected by the scandal, she comes up against the authoritarian Communist government who wish to muzzle her. 

Moreover, those working at the smelting factory are left furious by the potential job loss, leading to further opposition to stop the public health crisis from coming out. 

The medic faces threats to both herself and her family, but will stop at nothing to reveal the truth.

The Lead Children is based on the book of the same name by author Michał Jędryka. 

Many people commented underneath the trailer about the forthcoming show, which is already garnering comparisons to HBO’s critically acclaimed Chernobyl.

One person posted in the YouTube comments section: “This looks like a much needed movie. Lead and it's effects worldwide has been unimaginable (paint, pipes, etc) [sic].”

A second person wrote: “Netflix's response to HBO'S Chernobyl” as another echoed: “This reminds me very much of Chernobyl.”

A fourth person explained: “She worked in Katowice and was one of the first to draw public attention to environmental pollution in an industrial region.

"Her actions led to the treatment of thousands of children and changes in public health policy. She is regarded as one of the most important figures in Polish social medicine.”

Someone else added: “One person who stood up doggedly and made a difference. Every citizen of the free world should watch it.” The Lead Children will be landing on Netflix on Wednesday, February 11  with all six episodes available to stream globally. 

The series promises to be a gripping watch and the show’s main star Kulig said: “Lead Children shows resistance to change and the strength one must find within oneself to oppose it. 

“In the character of Jola Wadowska-Król, I saw above all honesty, extraordinary courage, persistence, and uncompromising nature. 

“Her life story poses the question of whether we, in her place, would find enough strength in ourselves to stand alone against the system. 

“Proper preparation, the atmosphere on set - all this allowed me to completely immerse myself in the world of this character and feel her rhythm.” 

She added: “It was a fascinating, intense, and exhausting job, but precisely because of that, a true one.”

Along with Kulig, the Polish-language programme also stars Michał Żurawski, Zbigniew Zamachowski, Marian Dziędziel, Agata Kulesza, Kinga Preis, and Sebastian Pawlak.

Filming took place in various locations across Poland, including Katowice, Ruda Śląska, Świętochłowice, Zabrze, Gliwice, Bytom, and Warsaw.

The Lead Children will be released on Netflix on February 11

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